Nigeria vs Madagascar Preview: Why I will make changes to team's line up..Gernot Rhor We will try and win...Madagascar coach

Coach Gernot Rhor is set to name a different Squad that defeated Guinea last week Wednesday as the team file out this Evening against Madagascar. This is to put pressure on players and intensify competition in every position www.sportspedalng.blogspot.com can report.

The coach made this known at the pre Match  conference held in Alexandria on Saturday when he was answering questions from journalists. 

The Belgian German tactician who uncharacteristically made five changes to his starting line up  against the syli stars responded affirmitively when ask whether he will make changes to his squad that played against Guinea as the set to take on the braise from Madagascar 

"Will I make changes? Yes, because I want to put everyone under pressure and have that competition in each position. We’ll see in the last training tonight which changes we will do,” .

The coach however reterioted that the focus of the team is the to finish top of the group in order to avoid second in other group because it is better to play third. 

“It’s important to finish first of the group, it’s better to play a team in third than second so we will do all to finish top,” Rohr told reporters at the pre-match news conference.

According to the coach,the match will be very interesting as the team is highly motivated to win the match in order to top the group 

“It will be a really interesting match against a team that has a lot of offensive qualities. I think it will also be a ‘final’ in the group, the winner will be top and that’s a big motivation for us.”

The tactician will be playing against the country home of his in law as the Madagascans are having stellar outing so far in their debut appearance. 

They are yet to lose a game having drawn their first game against Guinea 2-2 and defeated Burundi in their last game to garner 4 points and a point against the Super Eagles will guarantee them a second place finish and avoid the calculations that come with qualifying with the third best finish across the groups

Madagascar coach,Nicolas Dupuis knows the task at hand and declare that his team will try and win .

“We’re going out there to try and win knowing we’re not favourites. One point will be enough for us to finish second. 

We’re not yet qualified for the last 16 so I’m not going to try and calculate things. It would be a shame for it to end here.”

Madagascar will be meeting the Super Eagles for the first in AFCON in their 3rd ever game in the competition while the Super Eagles will be playing their 89th matches after making their debut in 1963,they have racked up a massive 42 victories ,22 draws and 19 defeats with 3 titles to show for it.

The match is one the final matches  in Group B of Egypt 2019 as Burundi takes on Guinea in a winner takes all encounter, both matches will kick off by 5pm Nigeria time.

Nigeria invites 44 for Basketball World Cup

D’Tigers Head Coach, Alex Nwora has released a 44 man preliminary roaster ahead of the 2019 FIBA Men’s World Cup in China, after weeks of scouting.

The camping exercise which will commence on July 7, 2019 in Erie Community College, Buffalo, USA will include D’Tigers captain, Ike Diogu, Ben Uzoh, Ike Iroegbu, Agada Caleb, Emegano Obinna, Efevhera Michael, Portland Trailblazer’s Al Farouq Aminu, Stanley Okoye, Jordan Nwora, Aminu Alade, Tosin Mehinti, Zana Talib, Chris Obekpa and Ayodeji Akindele who all featured during the qualifiers.

Others include David Nwaba (Cleveland Cavaliers), Josh Akogie (Minnesota Timberwolves), Nwamu Ike (Fort Wayne Mad Ants), Michael Eric, Charles Bassey, Ike Obiagu, Achiuwa Precious, TK Edogi, Stephen Ugochukwu and Ado Abdul, Chimezie Metu (San Antonio Spurs), Ekpe Udoh (Utah Jazz) and recently drafted trio of Miye Oni (Miami Heat), Chuma Okeke (Orlando Magic) and Kezie Okpalla (Phoenix Suns).

Nwora also extended invitation to five Nigerian based stars, Agu Abuchi Ibe, Okpe Ocheibi Victor, Abdul Yahaya, Vincent Buchi Nwaiwu, Victor Koko Anthony alongside former Golden State Warriors player, Festus Ezeli, Michael Oguine, and Jordan Ogundiran.

Ogugua “OG” Anunoby (Toronto Raptors), Semi Ojeleye (Boston Celtic), Ochai Agbaji, Vincent Nnamdi, Stephen Domingos, Moneke Chima and Joshua Ifeoluwa Ajayi complete the 44- man list.

As part of the Nigeria Basketball Federation’s effort to effectively prepare the team, D’Tigers will face fellow world cup bound Dominican Republic at the Palacio de Los Deportes in San Domingo on July 20th and 22nd before another test game against Ex NBA and Euro All Stars on the July 26, as they round off the first phase of camping.

The Second phase of camping will commence on July 29, while the invited NBA players are expected to report to camp on August 1 before departing for Toronto on August 5, where they will be facing Canada on the August 7 and 9.

Nwora will be assisted by Glynn R. Cyrien (Ex Memphis Grizzlies), Mfon Kokoete Udofia (Atlanta Hawks) and Ogoh Odaudu (Rivers Hoopers)

The final 12-man list will depart for Nigeria on August 12, for the final round of training before leaving for China on August 18.

Nigeria battle Korea, Argentina and Russia in Group B

Faces at the #EunisellBoot19 Gala Night

It was a great dinner in lagos ,Friday Night 28th of June,2019 . The beautiful hall of Radisson blu ikeja hosted who is who in the Nigeria sports industry as well the two winners of the eunisel boot Mfon Udoh of Akwa United and Sunusi Ibrahim of Nasarawa united .

Both players scored 10 goals each to win two million naira each as well as golden boot with the replica of the top scorer gong

The 2019 Nigeria women Football League gets kick off date as 16 teams set to battle for honor in the new abridged League

The  2019 Nigeria Women Football League ,NWFL will begin on the 17th of July,2019. The date was revealed in a communique released after the Annual General meeting of the League's stake holder held in Abuja.

The League, which will be an Abridged format this season, comprises 16 teams with 4 teams in a group. The group will proceed to play in the Championship playoffs to determine the winner of the league while the last teams across the four groups will play in the championship relegation playoffs.

The communique further revealed that the winner of the league will proceed on tour of Spain as part of the bilateral agreement between Laliga and NWFL to international friendlies.

The league went on break since last year after the FIFA world cup in Russia and the abridged format will make for the lost time according to the communique.

The groups at a glance

Group A

Rivers Angels

Osun Babes

Delta Queens

FC Robo

Group B

Dream Stars Ladies

Heartland Queens

Adamawa Queens

Edo Queens

Group C

Bayelsa Queens

Sunshine Queens

Nasarawa Amazons

Jokodolu Babes

Group D

Confluence Queens

Abia Angels

Invincible Angels

Ibom Angels

Eunisell to reward Mfon,Sunusi tonight

Mfon udoh and Ibrahim Sunnusi will be rewarded for their effort as the highest goal scorers at the NPFL 2019 regular season in a gala to be held in Lagos tonight tagged #Eunisellboot19.

Both players scored 10 goals each for Akwa utd and Nassarawa utd respectively. The players  will smile home with the highest goal scorer gong as well as two million Naira for their effort as  each goal is rewarded with #200,000. 

The award is organised by eunisel to promote marksmanship as goals define the game .

According to the company's 

Managing Director, Mr. Chika Ikenga  said, “Our logic is simple; both players deserve to be rewarded for their performances. The eligibility to be awarded the Eunisell Boot, is based on the most goals scored and both players satisfy that basic requirement." 

The 2019  NPFL season was an abridged season in which each teams played twenty two matches and Akwa utd benefited from Mfon Udoh's goal as they top Group B to make it the Championship playoff  that was held in Lagos while sunusi's 10 goals ensured that Nasarawa escaped relegation in the keenly contested relegation battle which saw an unprecedented 8 teams relegated.

AFCON2019 : NIGERIA 1-0 GUINEA :Nigeria first to reach AFCON 2019 Round of 16

 

Nigeria became the first country to make it to the knockout rounds of the ongoing 32^ndAfrica Cup of Nations finals in Egypt on Wednesday evening, as Kenneth Omeruo’s well –placed header from a Moses Simon’s corner kick earned all three points against Guinea at the Alexandria Stadium.

 

A below –par first half gave way to a lively second half, during which Odion Ighalo, who earned all the three points for Nigeria after coming on as a substitute against Burundi on Saturday, could have scored if the Guinean defenders had not checkmated Ahmed Musa’s pass from a swift counter-attack, and Alex Iwobi forced a smart one –handed save from Guinea’s goalkeeper Ibrahim Kone from a snap shot.

 

The result means that for the first time since the AFCON finals (also staged in Egypt), Nigeria won their two matches of the finals.

 

At the beginning, the Syli Nationale were more business-like, working three shots on target including one that rattled Daniel Akpeyi, before Moses Simon fired wide over the bar when he freed himself from the right.

 

Coach Gernot Rohr rested captain Mikel Obi and William Ekong, with Chukwueze also benched for Simon and Ighalo starting in place of Paul Onuachu. Yet, the Super Eagles did not look intensely creative in the first half hour and it was largely the organization of Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun, Chidozie Awaziem and Ola Aina at the back that ensured a barren scoreline at the interval.

 

Iwobi had movement and endeavour but gave the ball away severally, and Ighalo must have punched himself after side-netting with Musa waiting eagerly to raze the net from close range in the 32^nd minute. Earlier, Ighalo had, with a poor first touch, fumbled a good pass from Musa after the latter’s run down the left, and Iwobi also wasted another excellent pass by the pacy deputy captain.

 

The Super Eagles need only a draw from their last match of the group phase against Madagascar on Sunday to finish top of the group and remain in Alexandria for their Round of 16 fixture.

AFCON 2019 :Nigeria vs Guinea Preview: The Viruses that Rohr must deal with before Guinea match

NIGERIA VS GUINEA 3PM WEST SFRICA TIME KICK OFF

GROUP MATCH DAY 2 ON WEDNESDAY 26TH OF JUNE,2019

"We had some challenges with virus attack that knocked out some of the players, but I believe we will get better with every match,” 

That's a quote from Coach Gernot Rhor after the Super Eagles laboured to a one nil victory over Burundi in their opening game at the on going 2019 Africa Cup of Nations otherwise known as Egypt 2019.

Truthfully , News broke out just few days leading to the opening day match against the Swallows of Burundi that as many ad five members of the Super Eagles were not match fit and will not feature in the match ,notably Ahmed Musa and jamilu Collins,they were not feeling due to virus attack hence they were knocked out of the match. 

Admittedly the coach agreed that it affected the performance eventually as Samuel kalu was replaced few hours to kick off after he collapsed in final rehearsal for the match due another type of 'virus' attack called dehydration and his contributions was greatly missed no doubt.

The Super Eagles overcame the challenges and they got the Swallows of Burundi  swallowed at the end of 94 minutes in that Energy sapping encounter.

its good the Super Eagles kicked off their campaign on a winning a note,it doused the pressure and lift their not only their spirit but also boost their confidence in facing other teams as the competition continues. 

But the team should not be carried away by the jubilations and excitement that comes with Ola Aina's back heel made in heaven assist and the super cool finish by Odion ighalo there are fundamental errors that needs to be checked or avoided before the next game against a more experienced side in the competition. 

The style stars will square up against Super Eagles on Wednesday ,they look beatable but the team handler,coach Gernot Rhor,must get rid of some 'viruses 'noticed on Saturday against Burundi , a more experienced side could have killed off the game before the removal mikel obi and the introduction of Musa and ighalo will have mean nothing. 

"We thank our stars that we escaped and we might not be that lucky against Guinea on Wednesday if not addressed."

First off,the inclusion of Mikel obi was a virus that must be tamed,Coach Gernot Rhor invited probably for his experience and as the captain of the team it is almost certain that he will be selected for games but he didn't cover himself in glory with his lustreless performance in the last game,the coach must carve out a role that his experience can be use to the team's advantage if he will be selected against Guinea but definitely playing him in the number ten role is a virus that will' kill 'the Super Eagles as age is catching up with fast,especially when he was not the fastest of player even in his younger days as the Eagles strength remains the atttack.

The attackers in the team are all pacy,young and full of energy and mikel's 'snail movement' will slow the attack down and will mean lack of goals as the team will struggle to create chances that could lead to goals. 

The best position for the team captain for now is to sit on the bench and watch as the goes on and probably come in when the team is leading to help the defensive midfield of the eagles and bring his wealth of experience in match management to bear on the match

 Alex iwobi position as the number ten must be sorted quickly playing as on the wings is killing his effectiveness by thirty percent we saw how he gave his best when he swapped role with Ahmed musa against Burundi,in other to maximise his potential to the glory of the Eagles the coach need to jettison sentiments and play Alex iwobi in the central midfield for the eagles. 

Secondly the other virus that must die is the Goalkeeping,with the trio of Daniel Akpeyi,Okechukwu Ezenwa and Francis Uzoho no doubt the Goalkeeping role is the weakest link of the Super Eagles and that's very deadly virus that's need to be well managed. Daniel Akpeyi's incompetent as a Super Eagles is well documented he is a perfect example of the two extremes, a moment of Genius followed by a moment of villain. Lots of school boy errors and lack of confidence was written all over him. But can Uzoho or Ezenwa di better ? Am  not sure . it seems we are in a 'onechance ' bus with the three goalkeepers. Coach Gernot Rhor and his backroom staff especially the Goalkeeper trainers, Alloy Agu and pichhone must do something fast before Wednesday otherwise the Eagles may have their mouth filled with stories that touched.

Set pieces wins you trophies just as a Good team defending, coach Gernot must deal with this lapses noticed on Saturday as the find it hard to break their opponent on the run of play,the super Eagles failed to take advantage of the numerous corner kicks and free kicks in the vital area that comes their way. Against a more Experienced and tactical side, scoring through a run of play may be non existent but set pieces and dead balls situation in vital area is an alternative for team to shine. It seems Gernot is confused as to what to do with converting corner kicks and free kicks to goal as well. For the Super Eagles to go he must exterminate the 'deadball' Virus. 

The team show lots of promises but for the to get to the promise land as they are gunning for the fourth AFCON triumph the medical virus that affect key players especially the likes jamilu Collins etal must be cured as fast as possible as Every player must be fit and be ready to contribute their quota when called upon,the bench option in the super is tantalising if the team can afford to keep Ahmed musa and odion ighalo on the bench in the first match and their inclusion brings tactical changes that got the swallows swallowed the coach needs to find the right combination and always get his plan B ready if the plan A is not giving optimum results.

Rhor got 100% in that regard in the first match and he must safe guard it with A plus 'anti virus' so that the Eagles soar higher and hunt their prey seamlessly 

The Super Eagles will beat the syli stars hands down and book a place in the second round if the coach can take care of all this lapses noticed in the first and henceforth perfect it in subsequent matches ,the sky will be their beginning as they set to beat the syli stars silly come Wednesday. 

ACCESS BANK LAGOS CITY MARATHON: Registration for 2020 race begins with N5000 payment

Registration for the 2020 edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon opened Monday, June 17, 2019, with intending participants paying a fee according to a statement signed by the organization Director of Communications and Media Olukayode Thomas.

Upon the payment of the registration fee of N5, 000 for the 10km race and the full marathon, intending participants can register online at www.lagoscitymarathon.com or collect registration form at the Marathon Office, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos or any of the Access Bank branches nationwide.    

Thomas said foreigners who intend to participate in the 2020 edition slated for February 8, 2020, will pay a registration fee of $US100 (One Hundred United States of America dollar only).

Thomas said the first four editions of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon was free but a fee is being introduced from 2020 so as to comply with the IAAF requirement which stipulates that all top label races must charge a participation fee.

He said 10% of the registration fee paid will be donated to five charity organizations selected by members of the public and other stakeholders.

“Payment of registration fee will enable us to raise the standard of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon to the standard of other world-class marathons like New York Marathon, Dubai, London, Chicago, and others. It will also attract many tourists to Lagos thus boosting the State's economy; especially in the areas of hospitality, transports, sales of arts and crafts and the positive stories they leave with will attract genuine investors to Lagos State in future”. Said Thomas
 

AFCON2019: Zimbabwe turn up to give some light to a glooming week of Africa football as Trezeguet shoot Egypt to a winning start

The 2019 Africa cup of Nations kicked off in Egypt on Friday after Zimbabwe players shelved their initial plan to boycott the game over demand for arrears of allowances and match fees for attending regional tournaments.

The opening match lived up to Expectations as the Zimbabweans troubled the host and never looked like a team that didn't train twenty four hours to the match. 

The host team,Egypt,were resolute and determined not to share point with Zimbabwe and they were able to counter everything Zimbabwe throw at them to treat the watching fans to sumptuous Africa football to the delight of both biased and the nuetral fans.

Though Zimbabwe lost to Trezeguet's well taken shot but both teams gave Africa biggest football competition a befitting opening match that it deserved, a soothing relieve to a tumultuous week for Africa football.

The build up to the championship wasn't the best,as CAF was in the eyes of the storm starting with the Caf Champions League final VAR saga which eventually ensured that the Competition ended in an embarrassing stalemate. 

Just before the dust settled on that,news broke on the the arrest of CAF president,Ahmad Ahmad, in France and he was questioned on corruption,financial misconduct and improper business deals on behalf of CAF to highlight the height of the division in the Camp of the 'Change' group that uprooted the formidable isa hayatou's stronghold of Africa football and Africa Football needs a divine Intervention before things fall further apart as it seems the Anchorage at the Centre is failing.

Just before kick off, FIFA intervention was timely,Fatima Samoura was appointed to lead CAF for initial six months starting from August and this move douse the tension in CAF. She is to oversee the forensic audit of CAF this will restore the integrity and honor to a Confederation fast losing it.

What a week for Africa football and its admistration,In midst of all these distractions leading to the first match, the players of Egypt and Zimbabwe still find enough motivation to give the fans something to cheer about Africa football.